There is a difference of opinion about what is an acceptable military parade. Everyone seems to agree that Veterans Day parades or coming-home parades to honor military members are a good idea. Some claim that a parade merely to showcase military hardware is not acceptable.

Military parade in 1991 in Washington.

Military parade in 1991 in Washington.

Doug Mills, AP

I don’t believe the parade President Trump advocates is to showcase military hardware. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement that describes the parade as “a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation.”

“President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great servicemembers who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe,” she said.

President Trump has advocated a grand military parade since before he was sworn in. He first floated the idea during his Washington Post pre-inauguration interview, saying that “being a great president has to do with a lot of things, but one of them is being a great cheerleader for the country.”

There have been July 4 military parades in the nation’s capital before. Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln had Independence Day military parades.

Parades celebrating the Union victory over the Confederacy — and victories in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II and the Persian Gulf War — were held in Washington.

A military parade featuring tanks and an atomic cannon was held for President Eisenhower’s inaugurations. President Kennedy’s inauguration parade featured military hardware, including nuclear warheads.

Military units still march in parades in towns and cites across the country. Americans enjoy military displays, parades, air shows and flyovers.